... for our refugees. Scrolling through this, I felt something absolutely indescribable.
I can't even form a sentence right now.
Reading the messages ...
Have an extra bedroom in my house for temporary shelter for Katrina victim(s). Man in 20s here with a cat and dog.
The generosity in that little (s). It kills me.
Another one:
room and space available for family of three. Close to jobs and hospitals. A place to rebuild your life. we will be able to pick up your family as far away as alabama if response is in the next seven days.( by 9/8/05 )
Even the absurdity of:
Lesbian Housing for Lesbian Refugees - I have a modest house in St. Louis. I can take up to 4 womyn- have fold out couch and futon. The weather is beautiful here this time of year. Call or respond to this post.
just clutches at my throat. "The weather is beautiful here this time of year." God. The kindness of people. The goodness.
I don't know how the refugees, at this point, would even see these listings ... but the gesture, nonetheless ...
Oh, I have a lump in my throat- the goodness of people can be overwhelming. Thank you Sheila- I know there are some people that are not showing the best of humanity, and unfortunately that is what gets the press. I wish the news would cover these kind of stories more. These are the heroes.
Posted by: Just1Beth at September 1, 2005 10:01 PMBeth - my friend Michele has taken it upon herself to collect links of inspirational stories.
Posted by: red at September 1, 2005 10:03 PMwait - here's the link:
http://asmallvictory.net/archives/009719.html
Posted by: red at September 1, 2005 10:06 PMThe generosity and plain decency exhibited in those offers reflect the country I want us to be, and the country we are in many ways. I always say that for every hard-hearted, mean-spirited misanthrope you encounter or read about, there are 100 men and women out in Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Indiana, Montana, Pennsylvania, hell--pick any state--who would give you the shirts off their back, and ask for nothing more than a sincere "thank you." It's always nice to have my faith in my country reinforced by stories like this. Thank you, Sheila, and thank you, my good-hearted fellow citizens.
Posted by: DBW at September 1, 2005 10:23 PM"every act of love adds to the balance of love in the universe."
that's all I have to say.
thank you, people I will never meet, for making me feel like the human race is worth something again.
Posted by: ricki at September 1, 2005 10:36 PMShelia -- I read your site often, rarely post but I just wanted to thank you for your list of things you are thankful for. It really lifted my day. I'm a fourth year medical student in Jackson, MS, and though things are not bad here in comparasion to the coast, it's hot here and much of the city doesn't have power, gas is very scarce. Most people here have family or friends that have been devestated. It is really refreshing to see a candle in the darkness. Thanks again.
Posted by: Mark at September 1, 2005 11:28 PMThe drive time music station I listened to was reading these on the air today. Not because anyone who needed them could hear them, but because they were so amazed.
The people immediately in New Orleans can't read the, but people who were able to get out can maybe access the list at a shelter or coffee shop or whatever. People have been calling this a diaspora. I think that's the best word for it. How many will return to New Orleans? Who can sit around with their life on hodl waiting for the city to be habitable?
Thank God for the kindness of people.
Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
Hebrews 13:2
How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world. --
Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice
Posted by: red at September 1, 2005 11:47 PMWhen you hear about all the negative things people are doing, it's such a blessing to hear that most people, the true Americans are doing what they can to help.
Posted by: Laura at September 2, 2005 1:21 AMI am so lost with this whole thing. Thanks for the post Sheila. I'm blessed to have you as a friend.
Posted by: Alex at September 2, 2005 3:36 AMMark - hang in there. :)
Posted by: red at September 2, 2005 6:38 AMUnbelievable. Its nice to see this stuff. I wish the news would show this kind of generosity once in a while.
Posted by: mere at September 2, 2005 6:49 AMBeautiful. Just beautiful.
Posted by: Emily at September 2, 2005 12:51 PM